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Joaquin Castro's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Office:

On The Ballot: Running, Democratic for U.S. House (TX) - District 20

Key

Official Position: Candidate addressed this issue directly by taking the Political Courage Test.
Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, but Vote Smart inferred this issue based on the candidate's public record, including statements, voting record, and special interest group endorsements.
Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue, or we could not infer an answer for this candidate despite exhaustive research of their public record.
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Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as candidates submit them. Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

Joaquin Castro is currently being tested through the 2024 Political Courage Test.

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Issue Positions

For Presidential and Congressional candidates who refuse to provide voters with their positions, Vote Smart has researched their public records to determine their likely responses. These issue positions are from 2024.

  • Rated 100% by Planned Parenthood (votesmart.org)
  • "Texans deserve the right to make their own health care decisions. Not the government. This evening, Team Castro marched in solidarity with our city to condemn the Supreme Court’s egregious decision to overturn Roe v. Wade." (x.com)
  • "Texas GOP banned all abortions after about 6 weeks, before many even know they’re pregnant, and the Supreme Court allowed the law to go into effect—effectively ending Roe v. Wade protections in Texas. Congress must act. All women have a constitutional right to full health care." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3755 "Women's Health Protection Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "Today marks the 83rd anniversary of the first-ever #SocialSecurity check, and Republicans are celebrating by trying to cut this vital program. I will keep fighting to protect and expand Social Security benefits for San Antonio's seniors and people with disabilities." (x.com)
  • "On top of new drug savings, the Biden admin announced a 8.7% increase in Social Security checks — the biggest in decades. If Republicans take the House, they will slash benefits & leave folks to struggle. Seniors worked hard for their Social Security & they deserve better." (x.com)
  • Rated 100% by Alliance for Retired Americans (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 8% by National Tax Limitation Committee (None)
  • "Today, the House has given final approval to an unpopular bill that mostly benefits corporate America and the wealthiest among us, and explodes the deficit by $1.5 trillion. It didn't have to be this way. Republicans could have worked with Democrats to develop tax reform legislation that actually promotes economic and wage growth, protects working families and is fiscally responsible." (None)
  • Voted against HR 1 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 8% by National Tax Limitation Committee (None)
  • "#BuildBackBetter framework is a transformational investment in America's future. Preschool for every child. Tax cut for middle-class families. Expands affordable health care. Combats climate change. Creates good-paying jobs. Fully paid for by the wealthy and corporations." (x.com)
  • "While big corporations and the ultra wealthy get huge tax breaks, the #GOPTaxScam will raise taxes on 86 million middle-class Americans. #TaxDay" (x.com)
  • Voted against HR 1 "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Rated 89% by Common Cause (None)
  • "Much of the American public believes that the corruption racket in politics revolves around campaign finance. I think more of it revolves around personal corruption, like this example." (twitter.com)
  • "They were fired up about ending #citizensunited in this country. Corporate dark money has no place in our politics. Period." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1 "For the People Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "Today I reintroduced the PRIDE Act with Sen. @CoryBooker which requires state & local law enforcement to track use of force incidents between civilians and officers, report it @TheJusticeDept and then make it public. We must hold police officers accountable for excessive force." (twitter.com)
  • "I support ending qualified immunity." (twitter.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1280 "George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6395 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 2670: "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted against HR 4365: "Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7900 "National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3684 "Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act." (votesmart.org)
  • "The United States is at our best when we strengthen the Infrastructure of Opportunity at home and set an example of leadership and diplomacy around the world," said Congressman Castro. "The bipartisan America COMPETES Act will accelerate our economic recovery from the pandemic by tackling inflation and creating good jobs while advancing our position on the global stage. I'm proud to have authored provisions of this bill that will protect our national security, reignite our alliances, and create the workforce development opportunities Americans deserve." (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1319 "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "Today, I voted to pass the 2023 government funding bill with over $15 million for community projects in San Antonio. Here's how this money will protect affordable housing, prevent domestic violence, support small businesses, advance education & more" (x.com)
  • "Today I joined @CommishJRod, @SAAFdn, and @TXCapitalBank to celebrate the first home completed through @ProsperWest's Casa Bella project, which transforms neglected homes into affordable, modern housing for moderate-income families on the Westside. Last year, my office got $1 million to fund the next 20+ Casa Bella homes. As San Antonio grows, I’ll keep working to make sure affordable housing is within reach for the families and seniors who call the Westside home." (x.com)
  • "Today, I'm glad to announce that I’ve submitted over $60 million in federal funding requests for San Antonio community projects. These investments would help improve housing, workforce initiatives, public services & more across our community." (x.com)
  • "Today, I voted to pass the #InflationReductionAct to create good-paying jobs, lower health care & energy costs and cut prescription drug prices for seniors." (x.com)
  • "The United States is at our best when we strengthen the Infrastructure of Opportunity at home and set an example of leadership and diplomacy around the world," said Congressman Castro. "The bipartisan America COMPETES Act will accelerate our economic recovery from the pandemic by tackling inflation and creating good jobs while advancing our position on the global stage. I'm proud to have authored provisions of this bill that will protect our national security, reignite our alliances, and create the workforce development opportunities Americans deserve." (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5376 "Inflation Reduction Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "This is the right move and gives millions of Americans breathing room. While the Biden Administration continues to fight baseless Republican lawsuits to block student debt forgiveness, the loan repayment pause will extend through June 30, 2023." (x.com)
  • "President Biden should immediately start looking at other possible ways to cancel student debt." (x.com)
  • "A college education shouldn’t come with a lifetime of debt. Student loan forgiveness will transform the lives of millions of Texans, freeing them to buy their first homes, launch small businesses & chase their dreams. This is good for our economy and it’s the right thing to do." (x.com)
  • Rated 89% by Common Cause (None)
  • "Once again, a federal court has found Texas' voter ID law to be discriminatory and in violation of the Voting Rights Act. Republican state leaders' transparent efforts to make it harder and less likely that some Texans will vote are disgraceful." (None)
  • "States with a history of denying and blocking the right to vote, like my home State of Texas, are no longer held in check by the preclearance requirement of the Voting Rights Act. Worried that changing demographics erode their political power, Texas leaders continue to make voting more difficult for Latinos and other communities of color. For example, since the Shelby case, the Texas secretary of state attempted to purge nearly 100,000 foreign-born U.S. citizens from voter rolls; the Texas Legislature restricted mobile voting sites designed to make voting more convenient; at least 750 polling locations have been closed, more than any other State; a voter ID law went into effect that a Federal judge later ruled was enacted to intentionally discriminate against Black and Latino voters." (None)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5746 "Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "I am proud of the strides #SanAntonio and #Texas have made in #solar energy, clean water, and electric vehicles. Protecting our #environment benefits all of us and creates a safer, cleaner future for generations to come. #EarthDay2018" (x.com)
  • "#EarthDay is a great occasion to celebrate Texas’ renewable energy leadership." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4447 "Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019." (votesmart.org)
  • "The U.S. now stands alone as the only country outside the Paris Agreement. Climate change is real and happening all around us. For our kids and our future, it’s time to act, rejoin our allies and friends, and save our planet." (x.com)
  • "I am proud of the strides #SanAntonio and #Texas have made in #solar energy, clean water, and electric vehicles. Protecting our #environment benefits all of us and creates a safer, cleaner future for generations to come. #EarthDay2018" (x.com)
  • "Last night, I introduced an amendment to stop new oil leases on federal lands with high concentrations of orphaned oil wells. Taxpayers are already paying to cap the wells that oil companies abandoned. Congress needs to take a stand to keep our communities safe." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 4447 "Expanding Access to Sustainable Energy Act of 2019." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1446 "Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • "I’m deeply saddened and troubled by today’s mass shooting in El Paso. It is another tragic, gruesome reminder of the cost of inaction against gun violence. The people of Texas and our nation deserve a Congress that will take action to help prevent this." (x.com)
  • "My heart goes out to the victims and their families of the mass shooting in Odessa. More innocent people will lose their lives if we do not change our lax gun laws. The time is now. #DoSomething" (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of S 2938 "Bipartisan Safer Communities Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Through my cancer diagnosis, I’ve seen the costs of the American healthcare system firsthand - and I’m lucky enough to have insurance. No American should have to forgo the treatment they need to fight cancer because of the cost." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 1425 "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Enhancement Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6201 "Families First Coronavirus Reponse Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Historically, women legislators have been the champions for paid leave, child care, and other policies that support working families. It's time for Dads to do our part. Glad to be a founding member of the Dads Caucus and looking forward to the work (and parenting tips) ahead." (x.com)
  • "I’m proud to support the #FamilyAct to create a comprehensive and inclusive national paid family and medical leave program. Especially amid COVID, workers must not be forced to choose between earning a paycheck and taking care of themselves or a family member." (x.com)
  • "Railroad companies paid out nearly $200 billion to their shareholders over the last 12 years. They can afford to give their workers a decent quality of life. Today, I voted to force the nation’s biggest railroads to accept a deal to give workers 7 days of paid sick leave" (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6833 "The Affordable Insulin Now Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "Americans want lower prescription drug prices. Too many people struggle to afford medication like insulin.In areas like San Antonio, where the diabetes rate is higher than most, this can be the difference between life and death. Congress must listen to the American people." (x.com)
  • "Today, I voted to pass the #InflationReductionAct to create good-paying jobs, lower health care & energy costs and cut prescription drug prices for seniors." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 3 "Lower Drug Costs Nows Act of 2019" (votesmart.org)
  • "Yeah...Kids in cages. Babies separated from their mothers. 20K+ border patrol agents. Federal troops. State troopers. Countless drones...definitely not enough border security. Btw, did you get permission from @realdonaldtrump before writing this tweet?" (x.com)
  • "Border crossings are down 50%, but Republicans are still fearmongering about migrants to distract from their failure to make progress on issues that matter most." (x.com)
  • "Everyone needs to see what I saw in Eagle Pass today. Clothing stuck on razor wire where families got trapped. Chainsaw devices in the middle of buoys. Land seized from US citizens. Operation Lone Star is barbaric — and @GovAbbott is making border communities collateral damage." (x.com)
  • Rated 8% by NumbersUSA (None)
  • Rated 8% by NumbersUSA (None)
  • "#Dreamers are our teachers, our servicemembers, our students, and our nation’s future. On the 6th anniversary of #DACA today, we must continue forging a path forward for our nation's #Dreamers that is not tied directly to funding for a border wall." (x.com)
  • "Today, a federal district court in #Texas will hold a preliminary injunction hearing to decide whether the #DACA program can continue. It is critical that Congress pass a permanent solution for #Dreamers so they can cease living from court case to court case." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6 "American Dream and Promise Act of 2021." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 6968: "Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act" (votesmart.org)
  • "I strongly agree with @POTUS’s decision to levy severe sanctions against Russia. These sanctions will target Russia’s financial institutions and oligarchs and show Putin the severe consequences of invading a sovereign nation. Make no mistake: Americans #StandwithUkraine." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 7108: "Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act" (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of S 3522 "Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022" (votesmart.org)
  • "President Zelenskyy’s message to Congress was clear: Ukraine needs steadfast support from the United States to defend its sovereignty against Russian aggression. The people of Ukraine are fighting for their future and I stand with them." (x.com)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5691: "Making emergency supplemental appropriations for assistance for the situation in Ukraine for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes." (votesmart.org)
  • Voted in favor of HR 5692: "Ukraine Security Assistance and Oversight Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024" (votesmart.org)
  • "Big Tech has consistently failed to stop the spread of Spanish disinformation online. This week, I introduced the LISTOS Act with @RepCardenas and look forward to working with @SenatorLujan to strengthen content moderation standards and protect online safety for everyone." (x.com)
  • "Today’s @facebook announcement demonstrates that #Russia continues to sow division in our country ahead of 2018 midterms. We must harden our defenses and improve election security so we can protect our #democracy." (x.com)
This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.
The Political Courage Test asks candidates which items they will support if elected. It does not ask them to indicate which items they will oppose. Through extensive research of public polling data, we discovered that voters are more concerned with what candidates would support when elected to office, not what they oppose. If a candidate does not select a response to any part or all of any question, it does not necessarily indicate that the candidate is opposed to that particular item.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding abortion.

a) Abortions should always be illegal.
b) Abortions should always be legal.
c) Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
d) Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
e) Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
f) Prohibit public funding of abortions and to organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
g) Require clinics to give parental notification before performing abortions on minors.
h) Other or expanded principles

State Budget: Indicate the funding levels (#1-6) you will support for the following general categories. Select one level per category.State Taxes: Indicate the tax levels (#1-6) you will support. Select one level per tax.

Greatly Increase a) Education (Higher)
Greatly Increase b) Education (K-12)
Greatly Increase c) Emergency preparedness
Greatly Increase d) Environment
Greatly Increase e) Health care
Greatly Increase f) Law enforcement
Slightly Increase g) Transportation and highway infrastructure
Slightly Increase h) Welfare
i) Other or expanded categories
Slightly Increase a) Alcohol taxes
b) Capital gains taxes
Maintain Status c) Cigarette taxes
Maintain Status d) Corporate taxes
Greatly Decrease e) Gasoline taxes
Slightly Decrease f) Sales taxes
Maintain Status g) Vehicle taxes
Undecided i) Should the state sales taxes be extended to Internet sales?
Yes j) Should accounts such as a “rainy day” fund be used to balance the state budget?
Undecided k) Should fee increases be used to balance the state budget?
Texas just increased cigarette taxes by $1.00
The questions above will require different solutions depending on the fiscal outlook.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance and government reform.c) Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative candidates?

Yes a) Do you support limiting the number of terms for Texas governors?
b) Do you support limiting the number of terms for Texas state senators and representatives?
Yes 1) Individual
Yes 2) PAC
Yes 3) Corporate
No 4) Political Parties
Yes d) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
Undecided e) Do you support imposing spending limits on state level political campaigns?
Yes f) Do you support adopting statewide standards for counting, verifying and ensuring accuracy of votes?
Undecided g) Do you support prohibiting media exit polling of voters until all polling locations in Texas are closed?
h) Should Texas recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?
Undecided i) Should the governor, rather than local authorities, be in charge of ordering emergency evacuations?
j) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding crime.

a) Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and hiring of additional prison staff.
b) Support the death penalty in Texas.
X c) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
d) End parole for repeat violent offenders.
X e) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
f) Decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
X g) Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
h) Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
X i) Require that crimes based on race, ethnic background, religious belief, sex, age, disability, or sexual orientation be prosecuted as hate crimes.
X j) Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
X k) Increase state funding for state and local emergency agencies to prevent or respond to terrorism.
X l) Strengthen sex-offender laws.
X m) Support the restriction of the sale of products used to make methamphetamine (e.g. tablets containing pseudophedrine, ephedrine and phenylpropanolamine).
n) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding education.

X a) Support national standards and testing of public school students.
b) Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any public school.
c) Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any private or religious school.
X d) Increase state funds for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
X e) Increase funds for hiring additional teachers.
f) Support teacher testing and reward with merit pay.
g) Endorse voluntary prayer in public schools.
h) Support requiring public schools to administer high school exit exams.
X i) Provide state funding to increase teacher salaries.
X j) Increase funding for Head Start programs.
X k) Provide state funding for tax incentives and financial aid to help make college more affordable.
X l) Support sexual education programs that include information on abstinence, contraceptives, and HIV/STD prevention methods.
m) Support abstinence-only sexual education programs.
X n) Allow undocumented immigrant high school graduates to pay in-state tuition at Texas public universities.
X o) Support Texas' school funding equalization system (share-the-wealth).
q) Other or expanded principles
We need to rely less on property taxes and, once and for all, break the geographic link between collection and distribution of funds. It has led to territorialism.

Employment: Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding employment.Affirmative Action: Should race, ethnicity or gender be taken into account in state agencies’ decisions on:

X a) Increase funding for state job-training programs that retrain displaced workers and teach skills needed in today’s job market.
b) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector in order to encourage investment and economic expansion.
X c) Provide low interest loans and tax credits for starting, expanding, or relocating businesses.
X d) Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for children in low-income working families.
X e) Increase state funds to provide child care for children in low-income working families.
f) Include sexual orientation in Texas' anti-discrimination laws.
X g) Increase the state minimum wage.
h) Other or expanded principles
Yes a) Public employment
Yes b) State college and university admissions
Yes c) State contracting
d) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the environment and energy.

X a) Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology.
X b) Support increased production of traditional domestic energy sources (e.g. coal, natural gas, and oil).
X c) Use state funds to clean up former industrial and commercial sites that are contaminated, unused, or abandoned.
X d) Increase funding for improvements to Texas' power generating and transmission facilities.
X e) Support funding for open space preservation.
f) Enact environmental regulations even if they are stricter than federal law.
g) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding guns.

a) Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
b) Ease state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
c) Repeal state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
d) Allow citizens to carry concealed guns.
e) Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows.
f) Require a license for gun possession.
g) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding health.

X a) Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms, or state-funded care where necessary.
b) Texas should continue to use the private contractor Accenture to process Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) applications.
c) Transfer current Medicaid recipients into managed care programs.
d) Limit the amount of punitive damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
X e) Support patients' right to sue their HMOs.
f) Guaranteed medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
g) Legalize physician assisted suicide in Texas.
h) Allow doctors to prescribe marijuana to their patients for medicinal purposes.
i) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding welfare.

X a) Support increased work requirements for able-bodied welfare recipients.
X b) Increase funding for employment and job training programs for welfare recipients.
X c) Increase access to public transportation for welfare recipients who work.
d) Redirect welfare funding to faith-based and community-based private organizations.
X e) Use federal TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) funds to extend health and child care subsidies to the working poor.
f) Support marriage promotion programs for welfare recipients.
g) Eliminate government-funded welfare programs.
h) Other or expanded principles
Please explain in a total of 75 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.

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